U.S. patent number 6,457,473 [Application Number 09/541,858] was granted by the patent office on 2002-10-01 for drop-down face mask assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Gerald M. Brostrom, David C. Byram.
United States Patent |
6,457,473 |
Brostrom , et al. |
October 1, 2002 |
Drop-down face mask assembly
Abstract
An improved face mask that is retained by a carriage and harness
assembly, thereby allowing the face mask to drop down from the face
of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Brostrom; Gerald M.
(Burnsville, MN), Byram; David C. (River Falls, WI) |
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company (St. Paul, MN)
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Family
ID: |
25480207 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/541,858 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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943757 |
Oct 3, 1997 |
6062221 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/207.11;
128/206.27; 128/206.28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
13/1146 (20130101); A62B 18/084 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
13/05 (20060101); A41D 13/11 (20060101); A62B
18/08 (20060101); A62B 18/00 (20060101); A62B
018/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/206.27,206.28,207.11 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Foreign Patent Documents
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414007 |
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528975 |
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DE |
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19714325 |
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Oct 1998 |
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DE |
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780746 |
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May 1935 |
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FR |
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48776 |
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FR |
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203741 |
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Sep 1923 |
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289810 |
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Jan 1929 |
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GB |
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50041 |
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Mar 1941 |
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NL |
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199669 |
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SU |
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WO 87/01949 |
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WO 98/24499 |
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WO 98/58558 |
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WO 99/06116 |
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Wo 99/16532 |
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WO |
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WO 99/16533 |
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Apr 1999 |
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WO 99/16945 |
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Apr 1999 |
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WO 99/20349 |
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Apr 1999 |
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WO 99/58197 |
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Nov 1999 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Lewis; Aaron J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hanson; Karl G. Raasch; Kevin W.
Rogers; James A.
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/943,757 filed
Oct. 3, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,221.
Claims
It is claimed:
1. A carriage for a face mask, the carriage comprising: a main body
having at least four spaced apart engagement points through which
straps forming a head harness may be threaded, wherein the four
spaced apart engagement points comprise two sets of generally
diagonally opposed engagement points; a strap retainer for guiding
straps in a crossed configuration with respect to the four spaced
apart engagement points; and a harness comprising a first and
second band, wherein the first and second band cross adjacent the
main body.
2. The carriage of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a front
and a back, and the strap retainer is located on the back of the
main body.
3. The carriage of claim 2, further comprising an air passage for
allowing air to freely pass through the carriage.
4. The carriage of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an
inside, and further wherein the strap retainer is located proximate
the inside of the main body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to face masks, and more
particularly, to a face mask that is retained by a carriage and
harness assembly thereby allowing the face mask to drop down from
the face of the wearer.
BACKGROUND
Face masks for covering the nose and mouth of the wearer are used
to protect the wearer from airborne contaminants. Such masks are
well known and come in several varieties. Some masks are of single
construction and include filtering material covering the mouth and
nose of the wearer and are attached by elastic bands extending
around the head of the wearer. Other masks utilize a solid mask
body with inhalation and exhalation valves formed in the mask.
Still other masks utilize interchangeable filter cartridges.
A face mask should be easy to don, doff, and adjust. A mask that is
quickly fitted saves time and protects the wearer under changing
environmental conditions.
A face mask should form a reliable seal between the mask and the
face of the wearer despite various facial configurations. Also, the
face mask should be adaptable to different environments and be
interchangeable with other filters.
Many existing face mask securing means have shortcomings. Often,
the need arises to temporarily remove the face mask. For example,
the wearer often needs access to his or her mouth. Also, the
environment may be temporarily free of contaminants so that the
wearer doesn't immediately need air filter protection. When wearing
protective head gear, such as a hard hat, the wearer must remove
the hard hat when donning or doffing the face mask. Once the wearer
removes the mask, the mask is typically set aside where it may be
contaminated and is often thrown away. When the wearer needs to
re-don the mask, he or she must first locate the mask and then
readjust the mask to his or her face. Often, the wearer will grab a
new mask and ignore or discard the original mask, thereby wasting
time and increasing the cost of maintaining an adequate face mask
supply.
Accordingly, a need exists for a face mask that is easy to don,
adjustable, allows the wearer to drop the mask down and yet
provides a tight seal between the face and the mask.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a face mask apparatus. The mask has
a mask body configured for covering the nose and mouth of the
wearer. A carriage is permanently or detachably connected to the
mask body. The carriage has at least four spaced apart guides or
engagement points. The carriage may be adapted for use with a
variety of masks.
A harness assembly connects to the carriage at the at least four
spaced apart engagement points. The harness assembly is configured
to extend about the head of the wearer.
The harness may include a support crown. The support crown extends
about the head of the wearer. In this configuration, a band(s)
connects the support crown to the carriage.
One advantage of the present invention is that the mask body is
capable of being retained at multiple positions without removing
the harness. The mask body is able to be retained at a first
position covering the nose and mouth of the wearer and at a second
position dropped down from the face of the wearer without moving
the harness assembly from the head of the wearer. The mask hangs
near the user's body in the dropped down position. This is
advantageous in situations where the user needs access to his or
her mouth and does not have to take the time to set the mask down
and re-don the mask when the mask is needed. Also, the mask is out
of the user's way when hanging near the body, thereby allowing
substantially unobstructed working conditions. This flexibility
saves time and protects the mask and accompanying filters from
contamination. In addition, the mask is easily adjusted and
conforms to multiple facial configurations.
Another advantage is that the mask is held at four points against
the face of the wearer. This four point seal provides greater
protection against contaminants. Also, the carriage may be
separable from the mask body, allowing different variations of mask
bodies to be attached to the carriage. This interchangeability
allows the user to select the appropriate mask body and filter for
the environment in which the wearer is working.
These features of novelty and various other advantages which
characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in
the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a
better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the
objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference letters and
numerals indicate corresponding structure throughout the several
views:
FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the face mask according to
the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a carriage of the present
invention detached from the mask;
FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the face mask of the present invention utilizing an alternative
carriage configuration;
FIG. 4 shows a back perspective view of the carriage of the face
mask shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows a back perspective view of an alternative carriage
configuration of the face mask according to principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of a carriage of the present
invention;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative carriage detached
from the mask showing a continuous strap according to principles of
the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the face mask of FIG. 1 fully
donned according to the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the face mask of FIG. 1 in the
dropped down position according to the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.
Reference to this embodiment does not limit the scope of the
invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims
attached hereto.
In general, the present invention relates to a face mask. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a face mask
apparatus that is retained by a carriage and harness assembly on
the head of the wearer allowing the face mask to drop down from the
face of the wearer.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a face mask generally shown as 100,
is configured to fit over the mouth and nose of a wearer. The face
mask 100 has a mask body 10. Many such masks are known such as the
Series 6000.TM. by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, the
5500 by North Safety Products, and the Advantage 200 by MSA. By way
of description, the typical mask body has a seal portion 12 and a
central portion 14. The seal portion 12 is configured to provide a
seal against the face of the wearer. The seal portion 12 may be
constructed of rubber-like material and is generally contoured to
serve as a sealing surface. The central portion 14 is generally
constructed of rigid material and serves as a support for the seal
portion 12.
An exhalation port 16 is typically located on the central portion
14. A lip member 18 may be located on the outer circumferential
wall of the exhalation port 16. The lip member 18 is recessed away
from the mask body 10. The lip member 18 may have four grooves 19
located on the outer wall. A valve 20 is positioned across the
outside of exhalation port 16 such that the valve 20 covers the
entire port 16, thereby forming a substantially airtight seal. The
valve 20 acts as a one-way valve, allowing air to exit out of the
mask, but preventing air from entering the mask when the wearer
breathes in. Such valves are well understood in the art.
Inhalation ports 22a and 22b are typically disposed on opposite
sides of the exhalation port 16. Inhalation valves 23a and 23b are
located across ports 22a and 22b, respectively, thereby forming a
substantially airtight seal. The inhalation valves 23a and 23b act
as a one-way valve allowing air to enter the mask body when the
wearer breathes in, but preventing air from escaping the mask body
when the wearer exhales. Inhalation seals 24a and 24b are located
within inhalation ports 22a and 22b and proximal to inhalation
valves 23a and 23b, respectively. Inhalation seals 24a and 24b seal
off the inhalation ports 22a and 22b such that substantially all
inhaled air passes through inhalation valves 23a and 23b,
respectively. Filters (not shown) may be placed over the inhalation
ports 22a and 22b to remove particulates, vapors, aerosols, or
other toxins from incoming air as is well known in the art. The
particular filter may take a variety of different forms depending
upon the impurities to be filtered. For example, a filter
cartridge, as is well known in the art, is attached to each
inhalation port, thereby providing filtering capabilities.
A carriage 26 is associated with the mask body 10. The carriage may
be permanently or detachably connected to the mask body. In a
preferred embodiment, the carriage 26 is configured to
substantially match the contours of the mask body 10, such that the
carriage fits over the mask body 10. The carriage 26 is removably
connected to the mask body 10 by conventional connecting means. The
carriage 26 is constructed of substantially rigid material such as
plastic. A port 28 is located on the carriage 26 such that the air
exiting the exhalation port 16 is channeled through the port
28.
In one configuration, the port 28 is located to align with the
exhalation port 16 of the mask body 10. A lip member 30 is located
on the outer circumferential wall of the port 28. The lip member 30
has four protrusions 31 located on the inner circumferential wall
of the lip member 30. The protrusions 31 are configured to connect
with the grooves 19 of the lip member 18, thereby connecting the
mask body 10 and the carriage 26. The size of the lip 18, grooves
19, lip 30, and protrusions 31 are designed such that the mask body
10 snaps into the carriage 26 to form an attachment. The attachment
is such that a force encountered under ordinary working conditions
will not disengage the carriage 26 from the mask body 10. The mask
body 10 and the carriage 26 are detached by manually forcing the
carriage 26 away from the mask body 10. Other conventional
attachment means can be used and the present invention is not
limited to the lip-to-lip attachment system disclosed. For example,
that attachment may involve a number of protrusions snapping into a
complimentary number of recesses. Furthermore, the attachment
system is not limited to being located on the exhalation or
inhalation ports. The attachment systems allows for the attachment
of different mask bodies with different seal and filter
characteristics to the carriage 26.
The carriage 26 may be permanently or detachably connected to the
mask body 10. The carriage may have a strap retainer (described
below). In a preferred embodiment, the carriage 26 is detachably
connected to mask body 10. The carriage 26 has an upper portion 32
and a lower portion 34. The upper portion 32 matches the shape of
the mask body 10 and angles back near the seal portion 12. The
lower portion 34 matches the general shape of the mask body 10 and
angles back near the seal portion 12. The upper portion 32 has a
first upper guide 36 and a second upper guide 38. The lower portion
34 has a first lower guide 40 and a second lower guide 42. The
guides are designed to accommodate a strap and may take the form of
slots, eyelets, or any structure having a suitable opening that
permits the strap to move within the opening.
The lower guides 40, 42 are angled to permit the mask body to be
pulled in an up and down direction relative to the wearer's face
and the strap(s) (discussed more fully below in connection with the
harness) to be pulled about the wearer's head without substantially
binding and consequently damaging the straps. The angles facilitate
adjustment of the band about the head. In a preferred embodiment,
the angle .alpha. as measured from a vertical plane in relation to
the mask (as depicted in FIG. 6) is about 15.degree. to about
45.degree., with a range of about 20.degree. to about 30.degree.
being most preferred. The upper guides may be angled in a similar
manner.
FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a face mask apparatus,
similar to face mask apparatus 100, utilizing an alternative
carriage configuration. A carriage 26 has a port 29 located on the
lower portion of the carriage 26 and directed down from the
carriage 26. The port 29 is located such that in operation, exhaled
air will be directed down and away from the wearer's head. This
configuration has several advantages. Users often wear face shields
in combination with the face masks. Face shields may fog up upon
direct impact by exhaled air, thereby reducing visibility. The port
29 directs air away from the face shield, preventing the face
shield from fogging up. In addition, the downward location of the
port 29 maintains the integrity of the exhalation valve 20 by
reducing the amount of direct contact with airborne particulates.
Often, heavy airborne particulates such as paint and dust are blown
directly at the user's face and may degrade an exposed exhalation
valve.
Harness 61 may comprise a single or multiple straps and may have a
support crown. Referring now to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment,
harness 61 has a first strap 44 and a second strap 46. First strap
44 passes from the first upper guide 36 to the second lower guide
42. Similarly, a second strap 46 passes from the second upper guide
38 to the first lower guide 40. The guides are located in a
generally symmetrical position at the four general corners of the
carriage 26. The location of the guides act as general pressure
points. At these points, when the mask is donned, the carriage 26
pushes down on the seal 12, thereby compressing the seal 12 against
the face of the wearer. This four point seal configuration is
advantageous in a drop-down configuration over a two point seal
system because the pressure is evenly distributed over the seal
portion 12, thereby forming an evenly pressurized seal against the
face of the wearer. This configuration serves as protection from
outside contaminants and serves to conform to different facial
configurations. As a result, the face mask of the present invention
can be worn by a wide number of persons.
In a preferred embodiment, the first strap 44 and second strap 46
cross-over at the inside of the carriage 26. A strap retainer 48 is
provided to guide the straps to this crossover position and to the
respective guides. The strap retainer 48 has two sets of oppositely
disposed guides to direct the straps to the crossover position. The
strap retainer 48 is constructed of sufficiently rigid material.
The strap retainer 48 ensures that the straps are smoothly guided
to the proper position when the mask is adjusted along the straps.
The crossing over of the straps 44 and 46 acts to provide even
pressure on the seal 12, thereby improving the sealing
characteristics.
In an alternative embodiment as depicted in FIG. 5, the straps do
not cross-over. The carriage 26 has a first upper guide 36, a
second upper guide 38, a lower first guide 40, and a lower second
guide 42. A first strap 44 passes from the first upper guide 38 to
the first lower guide 42. A second strap 46 passes from the second
upper guide 36 to the second lower guide 40.
Referring back to FIGS. 1-2, the first strap 44 and the second
strap 46 have proximal and distal ends. The proximal ends of the
first strap 44 and the second strap 46 may have attachment means as
disclosed below in connection with the distal ends of the straps or
may be connected to a support crown 50. The support crown 50 is
generally oval shaped and configured to fit and conform to the head
of the wearer. The support crown 50 is constructed of substantially
flexible material to conform to the wearer's head. The support
crown 50 is of conventional design. The support crown 50 is
designed such that protective head gear can be fitted over the
support crown 50 without causing undue discomfort. It is often
necessary to wear protective head gear, such as a hard hat, in
conjunction with a face mask. Alternative support crowns can be
used without deviating from the spirit of the present
invention.
The distal ends of the first strap 44 and second strap 46 are
provided with strap connectors. The first strap 44 and second strap
46 are formed of elastic fabric material as is well known in the
art. In an alternative embodiment, the straps are formed of rigid
material and are flexibly connected to the support crown 50 so to
provide resiliency.
In one embodiment, a connector assembly is attached to the distal
ends of the straps. In a preferred embodiment, one strap has a hook
52 and the other has an eye fastener 54. The hook 52 and eye 54 are
configured to connect to each other as is well known in the art.
The hook 52 may have an adjustable buckle 58. The adjustable buckle
58 is configured such that the hook 52 can be adjusted along the
strap 44 and the hook 52 will not freely slip on the first strap
44. The adjustable buckle 58 holds the strap 44 into place.
Similarly, the eye 54 may have an adjustable buckle 62 to hold the
strap 46 into place. The position of the hook 52 and eye 54 on the
straps determines the fit of the mask, and can be adjusted to
accommodate different facial configurations and desired tightness.
Other conventional connectors and adjusters can be used such as
hook and loop fastener materials.
In an alternative embodiment, the distal ends of the straps connect
to the support crown 50 behind the head of the wearer. Each strap
has an eyelet that connects to a corresponding hook located on the
support crown 50. This has the advantage of increased comfort, as
straps more freely turn with head and support crown movement. This
is advantageous when the movement of the support crown 50 is
severely restricted, such as when the user is wearing protective
head gear. When the straps are connected to each other, strap
movement is restricted and can cause discomfort on the back of the
head of the wearer.
FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment utilizing one
continuous strap connecting to opposite sides of the harness. A
continuous strap 60 has a hook 62 on each end. A harness 61 has a
loop 66 on each side. The hooks 62 are designed to attach to the
corresponding loops 66 located on the harness. The strap 60 is
continuous and wraps around the neck of wearer. When doffing the
face mask, the hooks 62 are disconnected from the loops 66 thereby
releasing the strap 60 and allowing the mask to drop down to a
position below the face of the wearer. The harness 61 remains
resting on the head of the wearer, and the strap 60 remains hanging
around the neck of the wearer.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the ends of a continuous
strap connect to opposite sides of a protective head gear, such as
a hard hat. A harness is no longer necessary because the straps
connect directly to the hard hat. The hard hat has suitable means
to connect to the strap. This is advantageous in an environment
that requires the constant use of a hard hat.
Referring now to FIG. 8, in operation, the face mask 100 is donned
by placing the harness 61 about the wearer's head. The face mask is
slid up along the straps 44 and 46 to a position covering the nose
and mouth of the wearer. The straps 44 and 46 are then connected
about the head of the wearer. The straps 44 and 46 are adjusted so
that a suitable fit is obtained. In one embodiment, the hook 52 and
eye 54 connect the straps 44 and 46 around the head of the wearer.
The hook 52 and eye 54 are adjusted along the respective strap
until a suitable fit is obtained.
Referring now to FIG. 9, the face mask 100 is dropped down to a
position below the face of the wearer. The face mask is dropped
down by disconnecting straps 44 and 46 from behind the head of the
wearer. The face mask is then slid down straps 44 and 46 to a
suitable position. The face mask hangs near the wearer's body. The
harness 61 remains on the wearer's head. With the mask in the
dropped down position, the wearer can perform his tasks while
having access to his or her mouth. Also, since the mask hangs near
the wearer's body, the wearer's view is relatively unobstructed.
The mask does not slip freely along the straps. An increased force
is needed to move the mask because the mask will not slide under
its own weight.
When the mask is needed, the wearer simply slides the face mask up
to his or her nose and mouth and connects straps 44 and 46 behind
the head, and balances tension by pulling on the straps. This
provides for quick donning which is highly advantageous. Often,
environments become quickly contaminated, and the wearer must be
able to quickly don the face mask. This is not possible where the
wearer must retrieve the mask, or where the wearer must spend time
readjusting the mask.
Although the description of the preferred embodiment and method
have been quite specific, it is contemplated that various
modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit of
the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope
of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, rather
than by the description of the preferred embodiment.
* * * * *